A few days ago, I reunited with a high school friend who took me to an indoor climbing gym where he practices twice a week. It was my first time learning about this sport from someone passionate about it, and I discovered that climbing carries profound philosophical insights.

On a climbing wall, there are various holds and numerous possible routes—some easy, some difficult. Each hold could represent an opportunity or a temptation. To save space, climbing gyms often stack multiple pre-designed routes on the same wall, distinguishing them by color. If the wall is mostly plain and gray, with far fewer visible holds than usual, it resembles outdoor climbing. Such routes require sufficient experience and imagination to map out a viable path.

Most people engaging in outdoor climbing rarely do so without safety ropes or attempt to develop completely new routes on their own. At least in the beginner stages, climbers usually start by practicing on pre-defined routes. However, climbing the same route repeatedly in the same way can become monotonous, draining the sense of novelty. To address this, climbing gyms typically update at least one new route every week, encouraging regular visitors to return and take on new challenges.

Investment and life are much like climbing. In the beginning, most people accept a "pre-defined" path in their minds, and some continue to follow this path for their entire lives. However, the perceived risks of making mistakes in investment and life are often much lower than in climbing, and the consequences of missteps often unfold far more slowly. This delay can lead people to abandon the safety rope after seeing or hearing about colorful holds that promise an "effortless and easy" route. They may opt to free solo toward that appealing path. While it may seem smooth at first, there are almost always one or two unstable holds—possibly deliberate traps—waiting to disrupt progress. A single slip can result in a fall into the valley, making it extremely difficult to climb back up.

Respecting the big picture requires wisdom. Life and investment, like outdoor climbing, are not games to be taken lightly. Within each of us, there is a mountain we aspire to climb. Reaching its summit requires the constant honing of knowledge, experience, and courage.

When climbing skills and mental strength reach a certain level, it is time to honestly ask yourself: What kind of view do I want to see? Perhaps in the past, it was all about chasing thrills and breaking records. Yet the greatest regret is to stand at the summit, only to find yourself alone and disappointed by the view. If you can recognize, while still at the base, that this is the mountain you truly want to climb—one where the goal is a safe ascent, with occasional moments to appreciate the beauty along the way—you’ll find meaning in the journey. Remember to be grateful to those who ensure your safety, be they predecessors or companions. This path may never be recorded in history books, but it is undoubtedly a route to happiness.